Sundogs News

Prescott Valley, AZ – The Arizona Sundogs sign their third defenseman and add veteran experience with Drew Fata. In 2001, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario born, was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins third round, 86th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

“I look forward to the upcoming season and can’t wait for it to begin. I’m thankful to the Sundogs Organization and Kevin Colley for giving me the opportunity to continue my hockey career”, said Drew Fata.

Fata 31-years, is no stranger to the sport of hockey. After beginning his junior career in 1999, with the St. Michael’s Buzzers of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) he finished his juniors playing 194 games for the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors and the Kingston Frontenacs, in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

From 2003 thru the spring of 2006 the 6-foot-1, defenseman split his time playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ affiliates, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL) and the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL). In February, 2007 Fata was signed as a free agent by the New York Islanders and on February 4, 2007 he made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut, skating in eight games for the Islanders and tallied two points. Fata spent majority of the next two seasons playing for the New York Islanders’ affiliate the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) collecting six goals and 18 assists for 24 points in 135 games. In 2008 he became a free agent and was signed by the Phoenix Coyotes where he played for then, AHL affiliate the San Antonio Rampage before being traded to the Ottawa Senators, finishing his 2009-10 season with the Binghamton Senators tallying seven goals and nine assists in 68 games. In 2010 he suffered an ankle injury that ended his season short after playing in 27 games for the Providence Bruins (AHL), after signing as a free agent with the Boston Bruins in the summer of 2009.

Coming off an injury, Fata found it tough to find a place to play, until Wilkes-Barre reached out to him. Happy to be back with the team where he began, after a single game he decided to sign in Norway for the Sparta Sarpsborg where he finished the 2010-11 season. That same season he put up two goals and seven assists for nine points in 24 games, before going on to win the Norwegian Championship, scoring two points in 14 post-season games. The next three seasons he remained in Europe playing for Asiago in Italy and later signed a two-year deal with the Sheffield Steelers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). While with the Steelers, Fata put up 24 goals and 42 assists for 66 points in 122 games.

The Arizona Sundogs are the Central Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes. Season tickets, mini-plan, and single-game ticket information is now available by calling (928) 759-6600 or visiting arizonasundogs.com.